Veterans Country Jam at Lee Civic Center Saturday
It will be a great big “thank you” for those who put on the uniform every day as well as those who did before them.
Country fans and those who served in the military will pack Lee Civic Center on Saturday as country legend Lee Greenwood and others will perform as part of the Country Music Jam concert.
And if you miss this one, chances are you’ll be able to catch another one elsewhere in the state in the near future.
So far, according to George Tice, president of Veterans Music Jam, ticket sales have been slow, but steady.
“I’d like to see them move faster. But that’s the nature of the beast around here. Lee County is always slow moving,” Tice said.
As for the veterans organizations that received a bunch of free passes, Tice said many of them have given them away.
The Country Music Jam is meant to honor and uplift current and former servicemen and women through music and camaraderie, Tice said, as many veterans have been hit by hard times with the recent problems with the VA.
Veterans Country Jam was started by Tice, a Desert Storm hero who has helped honor veterans by honoring them at football games, at homecomings and other events.
He got together with country singer and writer Michael Wright to put on country concerts around the state to honor veterans.
Greenwood, whose song “God Bless the USA” has become an anthem to many, will headline. Wright will take second bill, while the Grayson Rogers band, an up and coming act based in Cape Coral, will precede them, with the local LCEC band the Killa Watts opening the show.
There also will be a guest appearance from Gov. Rick Scott, who will honor the veterans.
As the days dwindle, Tice said he and Wright will make the tour of local radio and TV stations to promote the show. A commercial will come out Wednesday.
There are more shows coming. Jacksonville and Tampa are future sites, and Tice said he has been in contact with a company that would like to have them do 100 venues nationwide starting early next year.
“They’ll find the big-name artists and sponsors and we’ll hand out the tickets to our veterans and bring the organizations in,” Tice said.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit local veterans organizations so they can continue to provide services to those who made the sacrifice.
Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased online at www.leeciviccenter.com. Doors open at 6 p.m.
For additional information, call the civic center at 543-8368.